Google’s new favicon – what do you think?

I’m sure that many of you noticed that Google has a new favicon. On their blog, you can find an anouncement aboutthis change. At the end of the article, the VP of the Search Products and User Experience department writes:

“We hope you like the new favicon, which nicely integrates all of our original criteria: distinctive in shape, noticeable, colorful, timeless, and scalable to other sizes.”

Google's favicons

Well, I’m not an expert in design, but … it’s just me, or this new design is far away from Google’s “original criteria” as it is perceived by us, the users. Is’nt Google about simplicity, and eficienty? Think about their website. Can you describe it as being “colorful”? Is this somehow complex and color-packed favicon a fit symbol for Google? What do you think?

Hi, liked your blog a lot! And yes, it is already May and I still think the new favicon too “windishy” (you know what I mean…) to my taste. Good to know Iḿ not alone. I have both in front of me and to make things worse, I just noticed the diference in colour is just a rotation…

It’s funny, I found your site when I was looking for a replacement for the http://www.google.com/linux
favicon, where I want the penguin (in quick search) instead of that not so beutiful new google icon. I’m still not used to it after nearly six months, and I find it annoying.

I agree it is Windishy, but I don’t care for the old one either. Google is, indeed, about simplicity and a clean page, but their bright primary colored letters, and the artistic replacements in honor of events and people are certainly a memorable part of the Google experience. I like the primary colors of the new favicon, but the actual design is very Windishy. I’d like to see them try again.